Our Thoughts:
For a lot of Yogis, yoga practice and meditation go hand in hand. Meditation practice however has taken a little longer to be popularised, perhaps due to the assumed religious connections. But with the advent of mindfulness and gradual de-stigmatisation of many mental health issues, meditation has gone from a hippy niche to an accepted method to improve personal wellness.
Celebrity endorsements, easily accessible guidance on internet platforms, and credible medical studies have validated meditation in many people’s minds. The truth of the matter is, many people are more likely to listen to their GPs opinion than that of a religious guru or famous yogi. In fact it has been so popularised Virgin Atlantic offer in-flight meditation, and many businesses are offering free meditation lessons to staff to combat work stress. Schools and colleges are promoting mindfulness and yoga to students, and practically every city has at least a couple of people teaching different methods.
So what does meditation hitting the mainstream mean for the general public?
In our opinion? Only good things. While some people may rail against the ‘trendy’ image it’s garnered, only good can come from more people focusing on their personal well-being. The happier the individual, the happier the community. The happier the community, the happier the world… right?
Meditation is an ancient practice that dates back thousands of years, and methods differ from religion to religion, but the core method is the same. Clear your mind, keep your body still and breathe deeply. Anyone can do it. It’s free, it’s simple. Anyone who’s tried meditating knows it’s a lot harder than it sounds, but the benefits are undeniable. It’s not only religious tradition that has kept meditation alive – we still use it thousands of years later because it works. Because it helps us see the world more calmly, more clearly, and connect with ourselves in a way we can only achieve through deep reflection.
It’s biology, it’s spirituality and it’s common sense! We can meditate our way to a better world! This we are sure of!
